Pinless hinge structure rotatable through an extended arc of travel

Abstract

A pinless hinge structure having two hinge members which are rotatable relative to each other through an angle greater than 180 degrees. The hinge members are rotatably joined along their adjacent longitudinal edges by mutually intermeshed gear segments which are maintained in rotatable association by a clamp member. Each hinge member is further configured with a leg segment extending outwardly from each gear segment. The leg segments and the clamp member are configured to allow the hinge members to rotatably traverse a greater than 180 degree arcuate path of travel relative to each other.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A hinge capable of accommodating swings substantially in excess of 180°, said hinge comprising: a first hinge member having a gear segment and an initial leg segment extended from the gear segment, the gear segment having a bearing surface located behind its gear teeth; a second hinge member having a gear segment and an initial leg segment extended from its gear segment, the teeth on the gear segment of the second hinge member meshing with the teeth on the gear segment for the first hinge member as one hinge member moves relative to the other between a closed position, wherein the initial leg segments are generally together, and open positions, wherein the initial leg segments are spread apart, the gear segment of the second hinge member further having a bearing surface that is located behind its teeth, whereby the bearing surfaces of the two hinge members face in generally opposite directions; a clamp member fitted over the gear segments and having along its edges bearing surfaces which contact the bearing surfaces of the gear segments and hold the gear segments together with their teeth meshing in the open and closed positions, the clamp member having two legs which lead up to and carry the bearing surfaces of the clamp member and a connecting portion located between the two legs, the legs converging beyond the connecting portion and otherwise being located such that the leg segments of the hinge members approach them as the hinge members move into open positions, the hinge members reaching a fully open position, which is beyond 180° from the closed position, when the converging legs of the clamp member interfere with the leg segments of the hinge members, whereby the one hinge member can swing in excess of 180° with respect to the other hinge member. 
     
     
       2. The pinless hinge structure according to claim 1 wherein said clamp member rotates upon movement of either hinge member and includes a faceted outer surface which cooperates with outer surfaces on said hinge members to limit relative movement between the hinge members and clamp member. 
     
     
       3. A hinge according to claim 1 wherein the hinge members have seats which are spaced from the gear segment and located generally behind the bearing surfaces of the gear segment; and wherein the seats bear against the connecting portion of the clamp member when the hinge members assume the fully open position. 
     
     
       4. A hinge according to claim 3 wherein the initial leg segments of the hinge members lie between the gear segments and the seats; and wherein the legs of the clamp member bear against the initial leg segments when the hinge members are in their fully open position. 
     
     
       5. A hinge according to claim 3 wherein the bearing surfaces on the gear segments are concave and form grooves in the gear segments, and the bearing surfaces on the legs of the clamp member are convex and fit into the grooves of the gear segments. 
     
     
       6. A hinge comprising first and second hinge members, each having a gear segment along one of its edges and an initial leg segment projecting away from the gear segment, the gear segments meshing and enabling one hinge member to rotate relative to the other from a closed position, wherein the initial leg segments are generally together, to open positions, wherein the initial leg segments are spread apart, each gear segment having a channel about which its teeth curve, whereby the channel of the first and second gear segments open in opposite directions generally away from each other; and a clamp member having a connecting portion and legs projecting from the connecting portion such that the side faces of the two legs converge, the legs beyond the connecting portion having rod-like portions which fit into the channels of the gear segments and prevent the gear segments from separating, the side faces of the legs for the clamp member lying against the initial leg segments of the hinge members when the hinge members are in a fully open position, the convergence of the side faces for the legs of the clamping member being such that they do not come against the initial leg segments of the hinge members until the one hinge member has moved relative to the other hinge member in excess of 180° from the closed position. 
     
     
       7. A hinge according to claim 6 wherein the legs of the clamping member converge beyond the connecting portion. 
     
     
       8. A hinge according to claim 7 wherein, when the hinge members are closed, the initial leg segments of each hinge member is located at an obtuse angle with respect to that leg of the clamp member that is along the gear segment for that hinge member. 
     
     
       9. The pinless hinge structure according to claim 6 wherein said clamp member is a C-shaped channel like member having a multi-faceted exterior surface and defines the longitudinal rod-like bearing portions at inwardly turned ends thereof, the exterior surface of said clamp member cooperating with at least a portion of each outer surface on said hinge members to limit relative movement between said hinge members and said clamp member. 
     
     
       10. The pinless hinge structure according to claim 9 wherein said clamp member rotates in response to rotational movement of either hinge member, with said clamp member rotating approximately half the angular distance traversed by the rotational movement of the hinge member that is moved. 
     
     
       11. A hinge according to claim 6 wherein each hinge member is further provided with a seat which projects generally laterally beyond its initial leg segment and lies generally behind the groove for its gear segment such that the groove opens toward the seat; and wherein the connecting portion of the clamp member lies along the seats of the two hinge members when the hinge members are in their fully open position. 
     
     
       12. A hinge according to claim 11 wherein the initial leg segments of the hinge members lie generally parallel to each other when the hinge members are in their closed position. 
     
     
       13. A hinge according to claim 6 wherein the initial leg segments of the hinge members lie generally parallel to each other when the hinge members are in their closed position. 
     
     
       14. A hinge comprising: first and second hinge members, each having a leg segment and a gear segment attached to the leg segment and curving backwardly from it about a bearing surface on the gear segment and ending at a free edge, the gear segments meshing with their bearing surfaces presented in opposite directions; and a clamp member wrapped generally around the two gear segments such that the free edges of the gear segments are within the clamp member, the clamp member having a connecting portion and two legs, as well as bearing surfaces at the ends of the legs, with the bearing surfaces of the clamp member being against the bearing surfaces of the gear segments to prevent the gear segments form separating, yet permitting the gear segments to rotate relative each other, whereby one hinge member can rotate relative to the other between a closed position and a fully open position, the free edges of the gear segments being substantially against the inside faces of the legs on the clamp member when the hinge members are in their closed position, and the initial leg segments of the hinge members being substantially against the outside faces of the legs for the clamp member when the hinge members are in their fully open position, the angles and thickness of the legs on the clamp member being such that angle between the closed and fully open positions substantially exceeds 180°. 
     
     
       15. A hinge according to claim 14 wherein the initial leg segments of the hinge members are together and generally parallel when the hinge members are in their closed positions and each leg of the clamp member is located at an obtuse angle to the initial leg segment for the gear segment along which that leg lies. 
     
     
       16. A hinge according to claim 15 wherein each hinge member also has a seat extending generally laterally from its initial leg segment; and wherein the connecting portion of the clamp member is against the seats of the two hinge members when the hinge members are in their fully open position. 
     
     
       17. The pinless hinge structure according to claim 14 wherein said clamp member is a C-shaped channel-like member having inwardly turned ends defining rod-like bearing portions, one bearing portion rotatably engaging a gear segment of a hinge member at an axis of rotation thereof, and wherein each gear segment circularly extends in cross section through an angle of greater than 90 degrees. 
     
     
       18. The pinless hinge structure according to claim 14 further including thrust bearing means for inhibiting longitudinal movements of the hinge members relative to each other. 
     
     
       19. The pinless hinge structure according to claim 14 wherein the gear segment of each hinge member defines a longitudinally extended channel which rotatably accommodates an inwardly turned leg of said clamp member, and wherein each gear segment circularly extends in cross section through an angle of about 135 degrees. 
     
     
       20. The pinless hinge structure according to claim 14 wherein a seat is provided on the outer surface of each leg segment, with said seat having a profile which generally corresponds to and abuts against a portion of the exterior surface of said clamp member.